The 2025 U17 World Wrestling Championships in Athens, Greece, became a milestone chapter for Indian Greco-Roman wrestling a style where India has often found global medals elusive.
In an electrifying campaign, Hardeep Singh, competing in the 110kg category, stormed into the final with a series of impressive wins, etching his name in history as only the second Indian ever to make the final in the heavyweight division at this level.
Alongside him, teammates Aditya Gupta and Anuj also fought their way to the semifinals, reflecting India’s rising depth and promise in Greco-Roman wrestling.
The Road to the Final: Hardeep’s Dominant Journey
At just 17, Hardeep Singh arrived at the U17 World Championships as the reigning Asian Champion, carrying the weight of expectation and hope from Indian fans. Yet, what followed over the course of the day was a performance built on composure, power, and textbook Greco-Roman technique.
Hardeep began his campaign in the qualifiers against Baktur Sovetkhan of Kazakhstan. Wrestling with controlled aggression, Hardeep scored both points from par terre the signature ground position in Greco-Roman to claim a 2-0 win. It wasn’t flashy, but it was clinical: a display of strength and strategy that set the tone for the day.
In the round of 16, Hardeep faced Mateusz Tomelka of Poland. The bout was more intense, with Tomelka pressing forward in the standing position, but Hardeep’s defense and counter-attacks were decisive. Using sharp underhooks and maintaining dominant positions, Hardeep secured a 4-2 win, moving into the quarterfinals.
Then came arguably his most commanding performance: the quarterfinal clash against Anatolii Novachenko of Ukraine, a European bronze medalist known for his strong par terre defense. Hardeep dismantled Novachenko with a stunning 9-0 technical superiority victory, earning points from multiple gut-wrench turns a move that relies on raw power and finesse. In a discipline where close bouts are common, such a dominant win was a statement.
The semifinal against Turkey’s Emrullah Capkan was tense. Capkan, a seasoned wrestler, tried to slow the match, but Hardeep’s pressure paid off. Leading 4-2, Hardeep maintained his composure in the final seconds to seal the win and book his spot in the gold medal match.
Standing between Hardeep and history in the final was Iran’s Yazdan Delrouz a nation synonymous with Greco-Roman excellence. For Hardeep, the challenge was immense, but even reaching the final made him only the second Indian to do so in the heavyweight category, after Ronak Dahiya in 2023.
Rising Depth: Aditya and Anuj Make Their Mark
Beyond Hardeep, India’s young Greco-Roman wrestlers showed their mettle. In the 55kg category, Aditya Gupta started his campaign with a composed performance against Asian silver medalist Sadriddin Tulkinboev of Uzbekistan. Aditya led 1-1 on criteria after scoring the first point and then added a takedown late in the bout to finish with a 4-1 win. Despite Uzbekistan’s failed challenge, Aditya’s calmness under pressure was notable.
In the next round, Aditya faced Ukraine’s Rakhman Gamidov. Gamidov scored a big four-pointer late to take a 5-2 win, but Aditya showed resilience by constantly looking for attacks until the final whistle.
Not done yet, Aditya faced Gamidov again in the semifinals. In a thrilling contest, Aditya was trailing on criteria but found a last-second takedown to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory. His run ended in the semifinals, but Aditya’s journey to the bronze medal bout underscored his promise.
At 65kg, Anuj produced a stunning display against Asian bronze medalist Xusan Giezidinov of Uzbekistan. Anuj outpaced his opponent with relentless attacks, winning 8-0. His semifinal was tougher, and despite the defeat, Anuj’s performances spoke of a wrestler ready for the international stage.
What This Means for Indian Greco-Roman Wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling has traditionally been an area where Indian wrestling has struggled to make global inroads, especially compared to freestyle wrestling where names like Bajrang Punia, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, and Vinesh Phogat have achieved worldwide acclaim. But the emergence of Hardeep Singh, alongside talents like Aditya Gupta and Anuj, points to a shift.
For Hardeep, reaching the final itself is a historic feat. The heavyweight category is fiercely competitive, often dominated by wrestlers from Iran, Turkey, Russia, and Eastern Europe nations with decades of wrestling culture. That an Indian teenager could defeat top European and Asian wrestlers to stand on the brink of gold reflects the silent transformation in training, coaching, and self-belief.
Behind these athletes stand dedicated coaches and a system gradually investing more in Greco-Roman wrestling, from exposure trips to specialized camps. The focus on building strength, technique, and par terre skills areas critical in Greco-Roman is starting to show.
For years, India’s wrestling narrative internationally revolved around freestyle disciplines, where the nation has achieved World Championship medals and Olympic podium finishes. Greco-Roman often remained in the background, with occasional flashes of brilliance.
But the rise of wrestlers like Hardeep Singh marks a shift. Young, fearless, and technically sound, these wrestlers are not merely content with participation; they aspire to challenge the world’s best.
Their performances at the U17 World Championships are not just individual milestones but part of a broader story: of Indian Greco-Roman wrestling stepping out of the shadows and into global relevance.
As Hardeep Singh prepared to face Iran’s Yazdan Delrouz in the final, the question was not just whether he could win gold, but what this journey symbolizes that Indian wrestlers can now dream of winning, even against the mightiest of nations.
Whether Hardeep clinched gold or returned with silver, his run to the final is proof that Indian Greco-Roman wrestling is maturing. And alongside him, the likes of Aditya and Anuj offer hope that this is not an isolated success but part of a wave of new talent.
The road ahead remains challenging. Global senior-level wrestling, especially in Greco-Roman, demands physical strength, relentless conditioning, and tactical depth. But the foundation is stronger than ever.
In Hardeep’s calm under pressure, in Aditya’s last-second takedown, and in Anuj’s aggressive attacks, Indian fans caught a glimpse of what the future could hold: an era where Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers stand alongside the very best.
As the curtains came down on India’s campaign in Athens, one thing was clear Indian Greco-Roman wrestling is not waiting anymore; it is ready to compete, to win, and to dream bigger than ever before.
